Fluid distributing system and apparatus



Sept. 13, 1938. N FALL 2,129,918

FLUID DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed June ll 1935 2Sheets-Sheet 1 l3 //Z MM Sept. 13, 1938. H. N. FALL FLUID DISTRIBUTINGSYSTEM AND APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 11, 1935 Patented Se t.13, 1938 2,129,918

Ni'iED srrs FLUID DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Harold N. Fall,Toledo, Ohio Application June 11, 1935, Serial No. 26,024

9 Claims. (01. 299-68) This invention relates to a fluid distributingdistributing system and apparatus embodying my system and apparatus, andmore particularly to invention;

TNT ()FFIQE.

the distribution of water for irrigation purposes. Figure 2 is anisometric view illustrating the The invention contemplates an automaticosdistributing pipe oscillating means of my invencillating meansparticularly adapted for utilization; 5 tion with a distribution pipe ofthe character Figure 3 is a sectional view through the valve wherein thepipe is capable of oscillation or rotamechanism for accomplishingreversal of the tion about its longitudinal axis. Water flow to changethe direction of rotation of A further object of the invention is theprothe fluid motor; vision of a water pipe oscillating means of a Figure4 is a side elevational view of the ar- 10 semi-portable character whichmay be readily rangement shown in Figure 2, portions of the affixed toor detached from the water distributing housing being broken away toshow the arrangemeans. ment of speed reducing mechanism;

Another object of the invention is the pro- FigureSisaside view of thearrangement shown vision of a fluid motor which may be directly inFigure 4 with the fluid wheel removed and .15

connected to the water supply and distributing portions of the housingbroken away.

pipes and in which the direction of oscillation of Figure 6 is a sideview of the fluid actuated the water distributing pipe depends upon thediwheel forming a part of the motor; rection of rotation of a fluidactuated wheel, the Figure '7 is a detail of one of the bucketformareversing of oscillatory movement being accomtions of the fluidwheel, the view being taken sub- 20 plished by reversing the directionof the fluid stantially on the line l''l of Figure 6; actuated wheel.Figure 8 is a View showing the method of con- Still a further object ofthe invention is the structing the bucket vanes of the fluid wheel;

provision of a fluid motor of this character in Figure 9 is afragmentary view showing a means which oscillatory movement of the waterdisof supporting the revoluble water distributing 25 tributing pipe ismaintained at a substantially pipe. uniform rate of speed in eachdirection after each While I have shown the arrangement of my change inthe direction of rotation of the fluid acinvention as utilized foroscillating an irrigation tuated wheel is efiected. tube or pipe for thedistribution of water, it is The invention further embraces a provisionof to be understood that I contemplate the use of 30 a light weight,compact fluid motor having speed the invention with any arrangementwhere an reducing means between the fluid actuated wheel oscillatingmovement is desired.

and the water distributing pipe which is entirely Referring to thedrawings in detail, and espeenclosed and operates in a lubricant, thusincially to Figure 1, numeral 10 designates a water suring long life andconstancy of operation. distributing or irrigating means in the form ofa 35 The invention includes a fluid motor utilizing length of pipe ortubing which is provided with a the water supplied to the distributingsystem as plurality of spaced jets or fluid outlets l2 preferanactuating fluid, the arrangement being such ably arranged in a singlerow and through which that the water applied to the wheel is dispersedwater may be extruded to irrigate the surroundafter it impinges againstthe wheel and is sprayed ing ground- The Water distributing p p y 40outwardly on the ground serving irrigation purbe made up of severalconnected io of pip poses as well as the water passing through theSupported p Spaced pedetals Whlch ay be distribution pipe of lengths ofpipe driven lnto the ground and Further objects and advantages arewithin the carrying at their upPer i e i fittings scope of thisinvention such as relate to the as particularly shown in deta1l1nF1gure9. These 45 fittings I5 each carry a pair of rollers I6 jourrangementOperation i functwn. ligated nalled upon pins i'l supported upon ears I8of elements of the s rue ure, to var1oue etails of the fitting whichrollers revolubly Support the construction and to combinations of parts,elepipe in These Supports M may be spaced apart ments per set and toeconomles manufacture sufiiciently to carry the weight of the water dis-5 and numerous other features as W111 be apparent tributing pipe and thewater contained therein from a consideration of the specification andand preferably of such distance as t prevent drawings of a form of theinvention, which may xt me sagging of the pipe between the supbepreferred, in which: ports. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 9, theFigure 1 is an isometric view showing a water pipe I0 is revolublysupported upon rollers I6 55 so that it may be oscillated or rotatedwith a minimum of effort.

The present invention deals particularly with a simple and effectivefluid actuated means for oscillating the pipe 10 and the arrangementhereinafter described is to be connected as illustrated in Figure 1 tothe distributing pipe I0 and to a water supply riser 20 which ispreferably equipped with a control valve 2 I The water supply pipe 20 isfixedly connected by means of a union 22 to a fitting 23 which issecured to the casing 25 of the fluid motor of my invention by means ofa clamp 26 and bolts 21 as illustrated in Figures 2, 4 and 5. In thismanner the casing 25 is fixedly secured to the riser pipe 20 so that norelative movement occurs between these elements. The pipe I0 isconnected to the fitting 23 through a packing gland (not shown) and aunion 29 of such construction that pipe I0 may rotate or oscillateindependently of fitting 23 and yet through the medium of the packinggland the arrangement is sealed against the escape of water at the union29.

The oscillating means of my invention is carried by or contained withincasing or housing 25 which in the embodiment illustrated is generallyrectangular or box-like in configuration having an open side which isclosed by means of a cover plate 30 held in place by means of screws 3I.A shaft 33 is journalled in bearings 34 carried by a wall of casing 25and the cover plate 30 respectively, which bearings may be of anysuitable character, those shown being of the anti-friction type althoughany other types of bearings may be utilized without departing from thespirit of the invention.

The shaft 33 projects through the wall of the casing 25 and carriesexteriorly thereof a toothed sprocket wheel 36 which is fixed to theshaft 33. Secured to the pipe I0 by means of a clamp 37 is a member orsector 39 preferably having a smooth or band-like periphery 40 and acentral or hub portion 4| integrally connected to the peripheralstructure by arms 42. A chain or flexible member 44 takes over thesprocket wheel 30 and is connected at its ends by means of screws'45 orother suitable means to the extremities of periphery of the sector 39.In this manner the sector 39 may be driven through the medium of chain44 and the sprocket wheel 36. A web-like portion 48 of the sector isprovided with a plurality of spaced holes 49 which are preferablyslightly tapered and adapted to selectively accommodate pins 50 and 5|which have correspondingly tapered ends so as to be frictionally orwedgingly retained in openings 49. The pins 50 and 5| are preferablyformed with knurled portions 53 so that they may be easily removed andplaced in different openings of the series of openings 49 for a purposeas will be hereinafter explained, of regulating or limiting the degreeof oscillation of the distributing pipe I0 and sector 39.

Contained within the housing 25 and fixed to shaft 33 is a comparativelylarge gear 55 meshing with a small pinion 56 carried upon shaft 51, thelatter in turn carrying a large gear 58 meshing with pinion 59 carriedon shaft 60, this shaft carrying a large gear 5i meshing with pinion 62carried on shaft 63. Shaft 63 is journalled in the rear wall of casing25 and cover plate 30 as are shafts 51 and 60, shaft 63 projectingthrough the cover 30 and carrying exteriorly of the housing a turbine orfluid actuated wheel 65, the latter being secured to the shaft by meansof a set screw 66 carried by the hub 6! of the wheel 65.

The turbine wheel 65 which is adapted to be driven by fluid pressure, ashereinafter described, is preferably of extremely light Weightconstruction. The body of the wheel is formed of a single plate #0 whichis secured to hub 6'! in any suitable manner and the outer or peripheralportions of the disk or body 10 terminate in projections II. The vanesof the buckets 13 on the periphery of the wheel are formed as shown inFigure 8 preferably from a single strip of material as at I5 by themetal being folded upon itself at spaced distances. In order to completethe bucket structure, a member I8 of U-shaped cross section as indicatedin Figure 7 is provided having lateral side walls 19 and which form thesides of the turbine buckets. A cross section of the bucket structure isshown in Figure '7 with the member I5 lying adjacent the bight of theU-shaped member I8 and may be secured thereto by soldering, brazing orthe like. The upper extremities of the projections II of the wheel I0are folded over side wall 80 of member I8 as indicated at 8|. The partsmay be soldered, sweated or brazed together in order to make a rigid yetlight weight construction. It is to be understood that the design of theturbine wheel may be modified without departing from the scope of theinvention.

Positioned above the casing 25 and secured thereto is a valve housinghaving a cover plate 86 held in place by means of bolts 81. J ournalledwithin the housing 85 is a shaft 89 which projects forwardly of thecover plate 86 through a boss portion 99 thereof. The shaft is fluidsealed by means of a packing gland contained within nut 9| illustratedin Figure 4. J ournalled on the outermost extremity of the shaft 89 isan arm 93, the lower extremity being in the path of movement of the pins50 and 5| adapted to be carried by sector 39. Secured to the arm 93 is alaterally extending bracket 94 having a short upwardly projecting stubshaft 95 which positions the lower end of a coil spring 96, the upperend of the coil spring engaging with a disk 9'! having a tenon 98projecting into the coil so as to prevent the disarrangement of thespring. The disk 91 is provided with a boss portion 99 which isconnected by means of a pin I00 to a link IN, the upper end of whichsurrounds and is secured to shaft 89 by means of a pin I02.

Arm 93 is also provided with another laterally extending bracket I04which is slotted to accommodate the extremity of a tension plate or flatspring I05 fixed to a bracket I06 secured to casing 25 by means of ascrew or other suitable means. It is to be noted that the tension plateI 95 projects loosely into the slot in bracket I 04.

As the arm 93 is loosely journalled on shaft 89, the spring plate I05projecting in the slotted bracket I04 acts as a resilient stop to limitthe movement of the arm under the pressure of coil spring 96, thusmaintaining the spring 95 and link IOI in assembled relationship.

Positioned interiorly of the valve housing or chamber 85 and secured toshaft 89 is an upwardly projecting arm II 0 which projects into aperipheral recess III of a cylindrical valve member H2. Member I I2 isprovided with two oppositely disposed cone shaped valve surfaces H3 andH4, the valve surfaces being spaced apart a sufficient distance thatthey are alternately engageable with stationary valve seats I I5 and H6.Member I I2 is provided adjacent each of the valve surfaces withpolygonal portions Ill and H8 which project loosely into tubularfittings I20 and I M respectively. The portions II! and II 8 arepreferably square so as to permit water or fluid to flow past the valvesurfaces into the tubes I20 and I2I. The fittings I20 and I2l, asillustrated in Figure 3, are threaded into bores in the opposite sidewalls of the housing 85 and are locked in position by means of nuts I22.Connected to the fittings I26 are tubes I24 and I25 having at theirextremities jets or nozzles I26 and I21. The tubes are so formed thatthe jets I26 and I2I are in opposed relation and located adjacent thebuckets of the turbine wheel 65 so that water extruded from these jetsor nozzles will strike the wheel at the proper angle to rotate the same.The water for driving the turbine wheel is obtained from the main supplythrough the fitting 23 by means of a tube I29 as illustrated in Figure5, said tube having an upwardly projecting pipe E36 connected to acontrol valve I3I, the latter connected by means of a flexible tube I32and tube I33 to the valve chamber at the point indicated at I34.Positioned within pipe I29 is a strainer or screen I36 so as to preventforeign matter from entering the valve housing. The tube I29 has aprojecting portion provided with a threaded cap for cleaning out anyforeign matter which may be trapped by the screen I36.

It is desirable that the gearing contained within the casing 25 shouldoperate in oil. To this end a filler plug 32 is provided adjacent theupper portion of the casing and a plug 35 in the side wall of the casingis also provided in order to determine the level of the lubricant 38.

The operation of the arrangement is as follows: When it is desired tooscillate distribution pipe I6, the oscillator of my invention isaffixed between the upper end of the riser pipe 26 and the pipe I6 bymeans of the unions 22 and 29 and the clamps 26 and 3'! drawn tightlyabout the fitting 23 and the distribution pipe I0. Water or other fluidmay then be admitted to the riser 29, pipe I0 and the oscillator bymeans of the master valve 2| which permits a flow of water through thepipe I0 and also admits water to tube I29 and thence through controlvalve I3I to the valve chamber 85, the amount of water passing to thevalve chamber being controlled by the valve I3I to regulate the speed ofthe wheel 65. With particular reference to Figure 3 for illustrativepurposes, the valves H3 and H4 will be in the position indicated inFigure 3 which will permit the passage of water from the valve chamberpast valve II I through tube I25 and through jet I2'I where the streamof Water will impinge upon the buckets or vanes of the water wheelcausing the same to rotate in a counterclockwise direction as viewed inFigure 2. The wheel rotates at a comparatively high speed under theimpulse of the pressure of the water and through the medium of the speedreducing gearing enclosed within casing 25 will move the shaft 33 andsprocket 36 at a comparatively slow rate of speed but with greatlymultiplied power so that there is ample power to move the sector 39 andwater distribution pipe I6 through the medium of the sprocket chain 44.I have found that a comparatively high ratio of speed of rotation of theturbine wheel with respect to the movement of distribution pipe I6 isdesirable to the satisfactory operation of the device for giving thepipe II] a slow oscillatory movement for water distribution and that aratio of the speed of the turbine Wheel to the sprocket wheel 36 of oneto three thousand or even a higher ratio has been found to deliver amplepower for oscillating a pipe several hundred feet in length. Asillustrated in Figure 2, the water Wheel traveling in acounter-clockwise direction drives the sector 39 and distribution pipeID in a clockwise direction and such movement of rotation will continueuntil the pin 5I comes in contact with the arm 93 causing the arm 93 toswing in a counterclockwise direction about the shaft 89 as a centeruntil the projection 95, pin I00 and shaft 89 are brought intosubstantially a straight line and slightly further movement of arm 93thereafter causes the link I6I and spring 96 acting as a togglemechanism to move in the opposite direction so as to cause the valvemember II2 to move to its opposite position cutting ofi the supply ofwater to jet I21 and admitting the water supply in the valve casing 85to be delivered through tube I24 and jet I26 to the vanes or buckets ofthe turbine Wheel. The stream of water extruded through jet I26 strikingthe Wheel, in a very short period of time causes the latter to reverseits direction of rotation and initiate rotation of the waterdistributing pipe I0 and sector 39 in a reverse or counter-clockwisedirection. This action of sector 39 continues at a substantiallyconstant rate because of the substantially constant rotation of turbinewheel 65 until the pin 56 engages with the arm 93 causing the latter tobe again moved to the position as indicated in Figure 2 wherein thewater supply to jet I26 will be cut off and the water diverted to thejet I21, reversing the turbine wheel and repeating the above describedoperations.

Through the use of a fluid actuated motor of the character abovedescribed, the water distribution pipe is oscillated at a substantiallyconstant rate of speed after the turbine wheel has reached a uniformrate of speed, which takes place in a comparatively short period of timeafter the reversing operation. This substantially constant movement ofthe water distributing pipe results in a uniform distribution of waterover the ground to be irrigated. The portion of the water directedagainst the turbine wheel after its impingement upon the vanes of, thewheel is atomized and becomes a mist which also settles upon thesurrounding ground and augments the irrigation without causing anypuddling.

It is to be noted that the pins 56 and 5| may be moved to any selectiveposition by inserting the pins in any of the several openings 49 so thatthe angle of movement of the water distributing pipe may be readilychanged or varied to irrigate more or less area of ground if desired.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modificationsand different arrangements may be made other than is herein disclosed,and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the inventioncomprehending all variations thereof.

What I claim is:

1. A device of the character disclosed, a rotatably mounted distributingpipe; a fluid motor mounted in fixed position adjacent thereto andhaving a fluid driven wheel; means for directing fluid flow against saidwheel, valve means for changing direction of said fluid flow foralternately driving said wheel in opposite directions; and meansincluding gearing for transmitting the rotary motion of said fluiddriven wheel to said distributing pipe, and means movable with thedistributing pipe for controlling said valve means.

2. A device of the character disclosed, a water distributing pipejournalled for rotary movement about its longitudinal axis; a casingfixedly mounted adjacent said distributing pipe; a fluid actuated' wheeljournalled on said casing exteriorly thereof; a shaft journalled in saidcasing and projecting exteriorly of said casing; speed reducing meanscontained within said casing for transmitting rotary motion of saidfluid actuated wheel to said shaft; means connecting said distributingpipe with said shaft for transmitting rotary movement of said shaft tosaid distributing pipe; and means controlled by movement of saiddistributing pipe for determining the direction of rotation of saidfluid actuated wheel.

3. A device of the character disclosed, a rotatable water distributingpipe; a casing fixedly mounted adjacent said distributing pipe; a fluidactuated Wheel journalled on said casing; a member carried by saiddistributing pipe; speed reducing means contained within said casing fortransmitting rotary motion of said fluid actuated wheel to said member;a valve chamber associated with said casing; a plurality of tubescommunicating with said valve chamber and terminating in jets adjacentsaid fluid actuated wheel, said jets arranged for actuating said wheelin opposite directions; a valve within said casing; and means arrangedto periodically actuate said valve for alternately directing fluid flowfrom one of said jets against said fluid actuated wheel for changing thedirection of rotation of. the latter.

4. A device of the character disclosed, a water distributing pipejournalled for rotary movement about its longitudinal axis; a memberassociated with said pipe and movable therewith; a fluid motor fixedlymounted adjacent said distributing pipe including a fluid actuatedwheel; means connecting said member and said fluid actuated wheel fortransmitting rotary movement of said wheel to said distributing pipe; achamber; a plurality of tubes communicating with said chamber andterminating in jets adjacent said fluid actuated wheel, said jets beingarranged to actuate said wheel in opposite directions; a valve withinsaid chamber; and means controlled by movement of said member forimparting reciprocating movement to said valve to alternately directfluid flow from one of said jets against said fluid actuated wheel toreverse the direction of rotation thereof.

5. A device of the character disclosed, a revolubly supporteddistributing pipe; a relatively stationary casing; a member connected tosaid distributing pipe; a fluid actuated wheel journalled on saidcasing; means for transmitting rotary motion of said fluid actuatedwheel to said member and distributing pipe; a valve chamber associatedwith said casing having a fluid inlet; a valve for controlling the flowof fluid to said valve chamber; a valve in said chamber; a pair of tubesprojecting from said valve chamber and having fluid extruding jetspositioned adjacent said fluid actuated wheel, said .jets being arrangedto operate said wheel in opposite directions; and means controlled bythe movement of the member for periodically changing the direction ofmovement of said member and distributing pipe.

6. A device of the character disclosed, a rotatably mounted distributingpipe; a casing fixed mounted; a fluid actuated wheel journalled on saidcasing; speed reducing gearing contained within said casing and adaptedto transmit rotary motion of said fluid actuated wheel to saiddistributing pipe; a valve chamber carried by said casing having a fluidinlet; a valve in said chamber; a plurality of tubes in communicationwith said valve chamber and having fluid extruding jets positionedadjacent said fluid actuated wheel arranged to cause actuation of theWheel in opposite directions; means controlled by the movement of saiddistributing pipe for actuating said valve to selectively direct theflow of fluid through said tubes to change the direc tion of rotation ofthe fluid actuated wheel.

7. A device of the character disclosed, a rotatable distributing pipe; arelatively stationary casing; a member carried by said distributingpipe; a fluid actuated wheel journalled on said casing; speed reducinggearing contained within said casing and adapted to transmit rotarymotion of said fluid actuated wheel to the member carried by thedistributing pipe; a valve chamber carried by said casing having a fluidinlet; a valve for controlling the flow oi fluid to said valve chamber;a valve in said chamber; a pair of tubes projecting from said valvechamber and having fluid extruding jets positioned adjacent said fluidactuated wheel, said jets being so arranged as to cause the wheel tooperate in opposite directions; means controlled by the movement of themember connected to the distributing pipe for actuating said valve toalternately direct the flow of fluid through said tubes to change thedirection of rotation of the fluid actuated wheel.

8. A device of the character disclosed, a fixedly mounted casing; amember mounted for oscillatory movement; a fluid actuated wheel journalled on said casing; speed reducing mechanism contained within saidcasing andadapted totransmit rotary motion of said fluid actuated wheelto oscillate said member; a valve chamber; a valve for controlling theflow of fluid to said chamber; a valve in said chamber; meanscommunicating with said chamber for directing fluid against said fluidactuated wheel; and means controlled by movement of said member foractuating said valve to change the direction of fluid flow and reversethe direction of rotation of said wheel.

9. A device of the character disclosed, a relatively stationary casing;a member mounted for oscillatory movement; a fluid actuated wheeljournalled on said casing; a plurality of fluid conveying tubes arrangedadjacent said fluid actuated wheel for selectively directing jets offluid against said wheel in difierent directions; speed reducing meanswithin said casing adapted to transmit rotary motion of said wheel tothe member to be oscillated; and means controlled by movement of themember to be oscillated to direct flow of fluid alternately through saidtubes to change the direction of rotation of the fluid actuated wheel.

HAROLD N. FALL.

